Chocolate Ganache Cake

Miraklegirl's Note:

From Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa). This is a luscious cake, perfect for any special occasion. You can make the cake up to a week in advance: wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Glaze it before serving. Enjoy!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 8inch c ...

• ¼ lb butter , at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 eggs , at room temperature
• 1 (16 ounce) can hershey chocolate syrup
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

For the ganache

• ½ cup heavy cream
• 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
2. Butter and flour an 8 inch round cake pan, then the bottom with parchment paper.
3. Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time.
5. Mix in the syrup and vanilla.
6. Add the flour and mix until JUST combined (overbeating with make the cake too tough).
7. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until just set in the middle.
8. Let cool thoroughly in the pan.
9. For the ganache, cook the heavy cream, chocolate chips, and coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until smooth and warm, stirring occasionally.
10. Place the cake upside down on a wire rack and pour the glaze evenly over the top, making sure to cover the entire cake and sides.
11. You can tilt the rack to smooth the glaze.
12. Do not refrigerate.

Reviews

[Jellyqueen]

I just knew that I had messed this recipe up. I didn't have a can of Hersey's chocolate, but I did have a large bottle that was partially used. When I got everything together, I was about 1/2 cup short on the chocolate syrup. I add about 1/4 cup water, made the cake anyway and it is wonderful. DH and DS both gave it rave reviews. Ofcourse, I love chocolate, so you know I loved it!!!!

[p4intthestars]

Absolutely amazing! I used these to make mini cakes for my family the other night and they were a HUGE hit! I tried making it a little less chocolatey by also doing a white chocolate mocha ganache and drizzling it on top decoratively and it turned out perfect!

[Tanya Pants]

Wow, this cake looked like something from a bakery. I used a square pan and then cut it into fours and used the ganache in three layers to make a mini layer cake to use as the top in a three-tiered birthday cake. I decorated the outside with Kittencal's buttercream frosting. I kept it chilled in the fridge until serving time. It looked fantastic when it was cut. (I've got the fourth piece in my freezer and plan to serve it warm with vanilla ice cream in the near future!)